HEROES OF FAITH – (6)
PART SIX – MOSES IN EGYPT
IN commencing our next episode in our study of “Heroes of Faith”, let us be reminded of the basic requirements and tenants of “Faith”.
It is based on conviction, not upon doctrine.
It only comes by hearing – or understanding – the Word of God.
It is not a static condition. It is a ‘growth’ condition. A constantly held belief in a doctrine is no guarantee of a constantly growing faith. As we read in Romans 1: 17:
“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”
With these basic principles in mind, we now proceed to a study of the faith of Moses. In this first part of our study, we will look at his faith whilst in Egypt.
In our previous studies we have dealt with the first three essential aspects of the Kingdom of God on earth.
1. The preparation for its establishment, through Abel, Enoch and Noah.
2. Its actual formation, through Abraham.
3. The guarantee of its continuance, through Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.
So we now come to a cameo of its future through the offspring of the Patriarchs, firstly under the leadership of Moses, Israel’s first deliverer, and as a result of his faith.
This can only be fully appreciated as we compare Israel’s first deliverer, Moses, with Israel’s second Deliverer, our Lord Jesus Christ.
“For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.” – ACTS 3:22-25.
‘Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” – LUKE 16:29-31.
‘And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” LUKE 24:2 7.
“Do not think that 1 will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?” – JOHN 5:45-47.
When we study Hebrews 11:23-29 we find that it covers five episodes in the life and faith of Moses. Each of these episodes pre-figures a stage in Israel’s future history, and each pre-figures the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ as the Lord God of Israel. In this study we will restrict ourselves to verses 23-26 which refer to the episodes in Moses’ life which occurred whilst he was still in Egypt. The remaining episodes as recorded in verses 27-29, covering his life after leaving Egypt will be covered, God willing, in our next study.
23 “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. ”
The statement in verse 23 could more properly be referred to as the faith of Moses’ parents. But it is no less a fact that Moses’ future was the direct result of faith. In the very first chapter of Exodus we read the account of how Pharaoh gave orders to the midwives that every son born to a Hebrew woman was to be killed at birth. Pharaoh had become alarmed at the rapid growth of the Hebrew population, and not having the ready availability of abortion clinics to aid his programme, he pronounced a death sentence to be applied to the male children after they were born, rather than our modern practice of doing so before they are born. But the intended result was, and is, exactly the same. The white Hebrew race had to be exterminated. As we read in verses 17 and 22 of the chapter;
“But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. “… “And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.”
Well, unfortunately for him, and fortunately for us, these two midwives, together with Moses’ parents, didn’t take too kindly to this system of eradication. I think we could rightly designate them as the very first “Right-to Life”, or “pro-life” supporters. Solomon wasn’t joking when he declared that there was no new thing under the sun.
These Hebrew sons who were under a death sentence were to be the progenitors of the future people who became known as Israelites, the called and chosen of God. In Exodus 4:22 Jehovah even referred to them as His firstborn son;
‘And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: ‘
This was repeated in Jeremiah 31:9 (b);
“… for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstbom. ”
As we stated previously, the life and circumstances of Moses prefigured the future of Israel. Thus we read in Revelation 12:4-6 and 14;
‘And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. ”
‘And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. ”
We also note the particularly relevant passage in Matthew 2:12-15;
‘And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. ”
Just as Moses was hidden from the persecution of the Pharaoh of the day, so his people were hidden by God, and protected from those who had deliberately planned to destroy them. The statement in Psalrn 83:3 comes to mind;
“They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. ”
We also read in the first ten verses of Exodus chapter two, how Moses, after being found by the daughter of Pharaoh, was actually nursed by his own mother, and eventually lived, and was educated, in Egypt. In prophetic symbolism, Egypt always represents the slavery of this world’s system, in contrast to the freedom of God’s System. Within this system, Moses prospered and eventually rose to such a position of prominence that he became second in command only to the king, or Pharaoh. It just goes to show that faithfulness to God, even within our present evil system, can, and will be, used of God to provide relief and encouragement to His people who are living under the oppression of the system.
The second factor we note is that Moses was described as a “proper” child. This word means, “elegant, beautiful, exceedingly fair.” It was a factor which applied to both Israel, and to our Lord Jesus Christ as being of the same tribe as Moses. It is recorded in The Song of Solomon 4: 1;
“Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves’ eyes within thy locks:”
Thirdly, their faith was evidenced in their complete assurance in God’s protection and deliverance, even though they had no idea whatsoever of the purposes for which they were led to take the action they did. What happened to Moses perfectly fore-shadowed the later promise to Israel as recorded in Isaiah 43:1-7;
“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, 0 Jacob, and he that formed thee, 0 Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned: neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;
I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;
Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. ”
The second episode of faith is recorded in Hebrews 11, verses 24-26;
24 “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. ”
Here we find how Moses proved and illustrated his faith by his dedication to his commitment. The need for the exercise of this principle is graphically illustrated in James 2:17-24;
“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and
I will show thee my faith by my works.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
But wilt thou know, 0 vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. ”
There are many professing Christians today who speak – even brag – about the amount of faith they have, but when you look at their lives, what they do makes so much noise that one cannot hear what they are saying. Moses most certainly did not fall into this category.
When he “came to years”, or grew up and became great, as the phrase means, he evidenced all the necessary qualities of a man of faith. He could prove it by his works. But let us remember that at this time, Moses had no idea of his calling. He acted under the effect of the “principle and result of faith” which was in complete control of his life. Many of God’s servants act under the very same influence. It is not until many years later that we realise that everything that has happened to us has been in accord with, and under the control of, the will of God. It is a very sobering experience. In Acts 7:22-23 we read:
“And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. ”
And here commenced the operation of the works which spoke of his faith. The first recorded, being the very first in importance to us all is found in verse 24 as stated above;
“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; ”
This must have been a very difficult decision for Moses. Pharaoh’s daughter had adopted Moses as her own son. He is said to have been her only child, without any other children of her own. This put Moses in line to be heir to the throne of Egypt. In the words of Matthew Henry, in his ‘Commentary on the Holy Bible’;
How glorious was the triumph of his faith in so great a trial! He refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, lest he should undervalue the truer honour of being a son of Abraham, the father of the faithful; he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, lest it should look like renouncing his religion, as well as his relation to Israel. And no doubt, both these he must have done if he accepted this honour. He therefore nobly refuses it.
Thus Moses first separated himself from the world he knew, and in which he enjoyed such prominence and respect, to the world of God’s Kingdom people.
Secondly, as we read in verse 25, we find him;
“Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;”
Again quoting Matthew Henry;
He was willing to take his lot with the people of God here, though it was a suffering lot that he might have his portion with them hereafter, rather than to enjoy all the sensual, sinful pleasures of Pharaoh’s court, which would be for but a season. Herein he acted rationally, as well as religiously, and conquered the temptation to worldly pleasure as he had done before to worldly preferment. Here observe. (1.) The pleasures of sin are, and will be, but short; they must end in speedy repentance or in speedy ruin. (2.) The pleasures of this world, and especially of those of a court, are too often the pleasures of sin; and they are always so when we cannot enjoy them without deserting God and His people. A true believer will despise them when they are offered upon such terms. (3.) Suffering is to be chosen rather than sin; there being more evil in the least sin than there can be in the greatest suffering. (4.) It greatly alleviates the evil of suffering, when we suffer with the people of God, embarked in the same intent, and animated by the same Spirit.
Thirdly, he;
“Esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. ”
There are two words in this verse of which we should take special notice. The first is the word “reproach”. It means literally, “defamation, reviling.” The second in the word “Christ”. It means literally “anointed”. It has two applications. It can, and very often does, apply to “the anointed One”, our Lord Jesus Christ, or alternatively it can apply to “the anointed people.” For instance, in Revelation 11:15;
“The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. ”
Here the word “Christ” cannot apply to our Lord Jesus Christ as He has just been referred to under the title of ‘Lord’. A close study of the seventh. chapter of the prophet Daniel, which I will leave to the reader, reveals quite plainly that the kingdom shall be given to “the saints of the Most High,” which can only apply to the Lord’s Israel people.
The defamation and reviling wasn’t as a result of following the Lord Jesus Christ, but as a result of being a citizen of God’s anointed people, Israel. Moses considered all this reviling to be of far greater value than all the treasure of Egypt. If we had more Christians who were willing to take this decision, we would have an entirely different world today.
Thus we see that Moses had a much greater longing for the reward of faith than for the reward of self-satisfaction. He believed God!
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” – HEBREWS 11:6.
And what was that reward?
“The mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” – PHILIPPIANS 3:14.
“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.” – REVELATION 2:26-27.
This will be the reward both for the individual and the nation. Moses totally dedicated hirnself to his calling and commitment.
The alternative was never an option. NOR SHOULD IT BE OURS!
Let us ever look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
